I see this video as a metaphor of their career. After they were dropped by the record label, they started recording videos on the couch and posting to RU-vid. Their popularity grew through hard work and perseverance. They've been on an incredible journey together, but are still the same people on the couch at the end of the day.
@@erick-gd7wo It was Epic (owned by Sony), and sent to Madison Gate Records (also owned by Sony) which mainly covers musical theater. Once they became famous, Sony upgraded them to RCA.
Epic Records was the sponsor for The Sing-Off the two previous years as well but apparently they underwent a change in management the year that PTX won season 3. L.A. Reid took over as CEO of Epic but didn't believe a cappella music could be a commercial success. He wanted them to abandon a cappella but PTX refused. 3 years later, after PTX achieved success on their own, RCA Records, another Sony Music label, came knocking on the door, wanting to sign them.
In their earliest days after the Sing Off they got dumped by their recording label. (Surely there's no audience for acapella!) They put their own stuff out online, recorded in their livingrooms just sitting on couches and putting out this outstanding music on their own dime and getting nothing back for it except that audience the big power brokers thought didn't exist. Any time you see a studio produced video of them on a couch it's a tribute to their beginning. This is the case here. A funny throwback to the "couch days" as we pentaholics call it.
I've always wondered how that record label was able to get away with dumping them; I mean, the whole premise of the show was to find a great acapella group. I watched the show, but didn't hear that they got dumped by the record label until a lot later when they'd made it on their own. Talent and very hard work.
@@michaelw.4776 I agree so much. Industry people thought nobody but grandmas wanted to hear acapella yet in just a couple of years self-promoting they filled stadiums. The difference was WHAT they were singing, and the beatboxing giving it percussion. Made it a whole different sound than Grandma listened to on the Lawrence Welk show in the 1950's.
@@Blue-rl5dp Well, yes, but the vocal percussionist is expected any time somebody mentions PTX. This particular song is unique in that it also has a different member becoming a stringed instrument, something nearly unheard of. :)
If interested, there's a RU-vid video PENTATONIX BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY BEHIND THE SCENES that shows how they made this video. Its fun to see how they made the couch move, etc.
Kevin plays the Cello in some of their videos(Shallow, for instance), and Kevin gets a few minutes with the Cello during each Pentatonix live performance.
Aside from George Michael singing with Queen on Somebody to Love, this is IMO one of the best tributes to Freddie Mercury and Queen I've ever seen/heard
Scott, Kirsten and Mitch have been friends since high school and the three made videos for RU-vid sitting on their couch. I love this little nod to their roots.
Ptx has said they tried to do this song as close to the original as possible for fear of upsetting anyone with such an iconic song. I kinda of am glad because there is so much greatness in it the way it is. People expect to hear everything the song has in it. That being said, I always love what they change up in other songs. Most of the time their version is better than the original in my opinion. The mash-ups are their own animal altogether. They are so creative and arranged well. Wait til you hear those! Thanks for your reactions- I enjoy them, and to me it’s ok if you stop and go. Most reactors do and you have to say what you feel when you are feeling it.
I see this as a bit of a throwback for them. Back after they won the record contract on the 3rd season of The Sing-Off, the company didn't know how to market them and dropped them. So instead of breaking up, they built their RU-vid channel with a series of videos of them singing wonderful original arrangements in their apartments and anywhere the find good acoustics. There are quite a few that the Pentaholics call Sofa Songs where they perform some of what I call the 3-2-1 videos. 3 behind (or sitting on the back of a funky sofa in Kevin and Avi's apartment), 2 sitting in front, in 1. Single. Take. No. Cuts/edits. The sofa arrangement in the beginning and end remind me of the Sofa Song era. Those Sofa Songs metaphorically took PTX on a journey as the Sofa literally did in this video. And in the end, they are still 5 music nerds making beautiful music together. (Though Avi has since left the group for personal reasons.) BTW: Her name is Kirstin (or Kirstie - sounds like thirsty).
"Say Something" has Kirstin taking lead vocals, Kevin (beatboxer) playing cello and beatboxing simultaneously with a little singing at the end, Avi taking a nice piece and Mitch and Scott being their normal brilliant selves. Rich, melancholy. Beautiful.
To put things a bit in context for Lukas, when Scott was looking for 2 additional members to fill out the Pentatonix roster in order to audition for The Sing-Off, he found Kevin on RU-vid doing "cello-boxing", i.e. beat-boxing while playing cello. Kevin's concert cello is named Beyoncé and is featured in several of their songs, notably, their covers of Radioactive, Say Something, Papaoutai (this is sung in French!), Dancing On My Own, Perfect, and Shallow.
This is one of their older numbers. They were just having so much fun! You can tell how much they have improved from this performance. They have a stylist and more polished look. I love the new number called "Come Along" You can see the difference from this early song.
To hear Kevin sing I always recommend their cover of "Imagine" - and their version is incredible! As for songs where Kirstin has the main lead: Say Something, Rather Be, Shallow and Water some to mind.
I've seen a few reactors watching Imagine lately. It's a song that fits for this time and it really is a message that needs to be shared right now. It doesn't hurt that their version is just as beautiful -- if not more so -- than the original.
Also Kirsten sings 70% of the lead in Toddrick Hall featuring Pentatonix, The Wizard of Ahhhhhhs. Well worth checking out. And speaking of Oz, you should check out Superfruit's Defying Gravity from WICKED. It not ONLY shows off Mitch and Scott's range, but also their (especially Mitch) acting ability.
Loved watching you enjoy this. Brian May (Queen) gave a thumbs up and tagged this. The megaphone Mitch used is only a prop. In live performances, he doesn’t use it. Also, they took five years to get this exactly the way they wanted to present this! Thought you might enjoy a bit of insight😉🎶💕
One of my all time favorite songs. They nailed it. There is a video that presents these guys in a half screen next to Queen, and they are dead on. Try to check it out. You will be stunned. FYI --- the season after PTX won the Sing Off, a group named Home Free won. They are the world's only Country all a capella band. They have amazing voices, and produce hilarious videos. Check them out. You will be amazed at the talent in that group as well.
So glad you enjoyed this, I have watched it dozens of times. As a director, you will be interested to know that there is a video of the making of this. They made it look so simple, but a lot of work went into it. I would enjoy seeing your reaction to that. It is my understanding from others who have commented on this video, that the megaphone was just a prop and that Mitch's guitar solo was just his voice. Keep up the great reactions, you are always so complimentary of each of the singers.. You pick out subtleties that so many of us miss. It would take a lot of time, but reacting to their sing off performances would give you a greater appreciation of who they are and where they came from. Just a thought. Thanks again, from Ohio
Arguably the Most symphonic busy song in rock history. And an iconic one at that ( never mind the epic vocal performance) and was taken on by a vocal group and they did a decent job .....not as a vocal group but passable for a "Band" .....pretty impressive when you think of it that way.
Really nice reaction to this wonderful cover by PTX! Rumor has it that someone sent it to Brian May who apparently loved it. Thought it was the best cover he had seen. I really like the way you analyze these videos. I look forward to the next one. If you want to hear Kevin you should watch Imagine.Mitch and the megaphone is one for the books!
Did you say you're going to react to Dimash!??? Wow, that's great. I only discovered the existence of Reaction Videos through my love for Pentatonix and Superfruit. I wasn't particularly interested in looking at any other reactions, until one day I was really bored and I'd seen that my one of my favourite "Reactors" was reacting to this guy Dimash, who I'd heard mentioned a gazillion times. Well, I admit I was blown away and thoroughly hooked. I LOVE Pentatonix, don't get me wrong--but I can't WAIT to watch your first reaction to Dimash xoxo
I don't know if you'll see this Lukas but, you pointed out little things I never did. I have watched this music video many, many times and, to not see the triangle, is ludicrous of me!!!! Thanks for showing me the way! I am a die hard PTX and Superfruit fan!
Great job, Lukas! You figured out how to fix the sound. I'm proud of you! If you haven't already, you should check out their "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy".
Lol, I knew i've seen you before. Just saw your parts in Blue Bloods and Limitless, and it dawned on me. I've seen you in Elementary as well but didn't recognize you without the beard. Either way, great acting and great reacting. Glad you're enjoying PTX.
Kirsten (pronounced "KER-sten") had a solo project. I'd love to see your reaction to "Break A Little", "Naked" , and "All Night". Also she sings lead and wrote, I believe, Pentatonix's song "WATER". That one is really worth a listen too. I can't wait to here your thoughts on her vocals. I'm really enjoying your channel. 🙏
Hi, first time hearing them singing this song they were fantastic, close to the original I loved how they moved around and the couch! Thank you for your reaction.❗💜
The main reason I’m a Pentaholic is their arrangement... masterpiece! I really feel that their talent is at the service of the song. And then, on top of that, five beautiful, funny, silly, joyful, talented individuals. I never get tired of listening to them. Since you also enjoy talent and creativity, there is a Canadian band worth knowing Walk Off The Earth. Like PTX, everything they do is great. And Dimash!!! Oh boy! I can’t wait! You will fall off your chair. Great comments and reaction. 🤗
I think you're probably of the generation that can really appreciate their cover of "Take on Me." The vocal ranges in it are so good, and it's a fun one. :)
I really enjoy your colorful reactions. There is a behind the scenes video where they comment on this while they are making it and the few mishaps that happened during the making. Fun to watch. To see more of Kirstie leading (rhymes with Thirsty, I'm told), watch Say Something, and also I recently discovered the Popspring 2016 Live which has 3 originals and a Michael Jackson medley - best Live I've seen of theirs. Kirstie has the lead in the last song on that Live, called Water, which she and Kevin wrote together. Love it. Also, Gold is another favorite of mine, but to me in that one the focus is on Mitch and Avi, though they all have parts. Another favorite of mine is Run to You, which I believe Avi and someone else in the group wrote. Thanks again.
If you watch their version of LET'S GET IT ON from the beginning of their career at the Sing Off you can see that Mitch doesn't need a megaphone to create acoustic sounds. They slayed it and even Ben Folds praised Mitch for killing it.
Thank you for this. I was hoping that you would post a reaction today to this video or to Imagine. Please react to "Imagine" soon. You will love it. Also, please don't forget that Kevin has a RU-vid channel. He's amazing. Start with "Down".
Fabulous .. the couch version .. their fun quota is beyond .. like your fun hearing and watching them. Lukas. Thank you. Gorgeous in every way .. left my ears happy and my mouth grinning.
Yes, I was about to suggest that one. I've been to one of their concerts, and looking at a live performance enhances the enjoyment of their official videos, as it dismisses that nagging feeling a lot of it is just edition.
Keep in mind, the best version of the Aha! Singapore video I've been able to find is shot on a viewers camera phone.. still amazing!!. I've yet to find an "official" video of this..if anyone knows of one, please share with the group!? (I'd love to see the entire group at once)
Hello again Lukas, it's me again!!I'm really enjoying your reactions...thank you. Just thought you might find it interesting to watch the making of this video. Think you would be very surprised.Enjoy.
Thanks Lukas - you really should watch the behind the scenes for this, even if its for your own enjoyment. It showcases just what they had to go through to get this video finished... (they even lose Kevin off the couch at one point which is kind of dangerous but hilarious...in a way.... Mitch mentioned being absolutely frozen ...and jokingly said he was kind of just focussed on not dying :) ) They had to put a step on the back of the couch for Kirstin as she wasn't tall enough to get on quickly/safely enough.
The couch is motorized. There's a Behind the Scenes video that you might enjoy. The motor raised the couch far enough that they had to add a step on back so that Mitch and Kirstin could climb on from the back as well as the front; Scott didn't need the step. Also, they misjudged what the addition of the motor would do to the couch's stability; I believe they really should have added unpowered wheels at each corner, but since they didn't the couch kept trying to tip over. There were a couple of minor accidents as a result. The couch is the only part of this video that's *about* Pentatonix - it's taking them on a trip down Memory Lane, to their earliest videos, which were frequently just five very young people sitting together on a couch singing their hearts out. But everything else in this video is about "Bohemian Rhapsody" or Queen. The scene near the end where they're all lying on the couch together isn't about friends relaxing together; it was a reference to the cover art of Queen's _Sheer Heart Attack_ album. The starry night sky is for Brian May, who has a doctorate in astrophysics. And the four shooting stars are a reference to the four members of Queen. And when this video came out Brian May posted a link to it on all his social media accounts, with a single word comment: "Enjoy."
Enjoyed your reaction and comments! Loved your idea of the sounds being like popping bubbles all around them at the beginning. Well said! :) Kevin sings some in their cover of Imagine and Mary Did You Know. Kirsten takes lead beautifully in their covers of Rather Be and Say Something. Also you should react to one of their songs where Kevin accompanies on cello. He beatboxes and plays the cello at the same time! It's called cello-boxing and you can see it in Radioactive, Pappatoui, Perfect, Shallow, Dancing on My Own, and others. So many great PTX videos, so little time!
I’m so glad you reacted to this! I’ve heard that they had been reticent to do it because it is so iconic. And that’s Mitch’s voice doing the electric guitar. He’s done it live in concert. I really enjoy your reactions. You notice so many small details, some of which I wouldn’t have without your comments. Oh and yes, the couch is remote controlled. I highly recommend reacting to Imagine next, and soon. The way they do it has a very powerful message for right now. Kevin does sing in it, too. A tiny point, her name is Kirstin (or Kirsten? not sure which vowel she uses) not Kristin. She also goes by Kirstie, which she reminds us rhymes with thirsty. I really have trouble with this because I have a niece named Kristin!
Kevin does some of his own "KOvers" on his own channel (definitely worth checking out) Sign of the Times is my favorite. And of course I love Avi's solo work ❤️
Since you've checked out some of the other's solo work, I'd highly recommend Kevin Olusola's cover of "Sign of the Times." One of my favorites featuring a lot of Kirstie is "Shallow." Kevin plays the cello there as well.
Very incisive observations there. I also get the impression that they had a lot of fun doing this video and that they generally enjoy making music together. I can’t wait for your next one. I’m looking forward to seeing you react to “Say Something”.
Hi Lukas. I enjoyed your reaction and comments. I've watched this video so many times and enjoyed it so many times too. If you want to see Kirstie shine, watch Say Something. I love it. Havana and New Rules are good too.
Great reaction as always! Believe it or not they actually perform this live (I am sure you can believe it because it is PTX). I will never cease to be amazed at what comes out of this band. I have been listening to them almost since the beginning and I still dance, laugh, cry, and cheer through all of their videos new and old. I can't wait for you to do more!! I highly recommend their cover of Imagine next.
....Of course the band QUEEN and Freddie Mercury go down in history,but I think if Freddie had lived now,he would have loved this performance.You have to by very good to play "Queen "....and Pentatonix,thei are !!!
I'm glad you overcame your hesitation to react to this...hopefully by now you've learned that PTX can do no wrong, lol...and I'm sure others have commented that it's Kirstie, like thirsty, or Kirsten like Thurston (that one I made up but it sounded good so I kept it in)
One of my absolute faves is from the sing off. . .dog days of summer. Amazing. The judges reaction to Mitch is fabulous. It also is a great way to see them just starting out and how they've grown! Still gives me chills tho'
@@lukashasselNY it's perfect for you. Each reactor is different. Please do imagine soon. Kevin sings in it plus it's a great song for the time we are living in right now. They also bring the message home even more with a special thing they do. I seriously had been thinking about you today and hoping you would upload something. It made my day better. They did a behind the scenes video for this that you can just watch on your own if you want.
Please do watch the behind the scenes video! If you watch the background closely you’ll see Kevin falling off the couch. (I’d actually like to see a reaction video of it, but that’s probably a bit too much to ask.)
I so enjoy your reaction! I hope to get through them all....but the PTX are my favorite! Thanks for your great ability to break down their videos!!! = )
Hope you are having a great morning! 😁 You mentioned branching out to look into the Pentatonix-adjacent work..I think you would like Kevin's solo career! Pentatonix actually found him through one of his utube videos cello-beatboxing! He very multi talented!! I'd enjoy your reaction to some of his work!
Fantastic 'reaction' Lukas......Hi from Australia.....Agree with all you've said.....love how much you include 'all' performances....using my new headphones is bringing Avi into my core....Please react to 'Imagine' as Avi gets to sing the intro and Kevin has a singing part as well....He might surprise you with his voice. Also one to do is 'Say Something' Kirsten takes the lead with Avi getting another solo part...& Keven plays the cello & sings the ending....Keep them coming my friend.
A great one for checking out Kevin's voice is Mary Did You Know. It's a little more sedated but very good. If you enjoy watching them have fun than Rather Be would be a great one!
Because of what we know of your background re: production, I think you’d lose your mind over Kevin’s cover of Down. It’s truly spectacular and will give you an insight to his voice and his true musicianship.
It just occurred to me towards the end (and I've seen this video many times), it's like an audition couch, isn't it? Only they don't stay in the predicted space, but rather take you on a journey (with said couch), before returning to the audition room. That's how I see it now anyway
There are a few songs they do with instruments. Kevin plays his cello on Shallow and a few others and they team with Lindsey Stirling playing violin on Radioactive and Papaoutai. But those are exceptions for certain. They usually share leads on a song, but there are some songs where one will take the lead the whole or most of the song. I think they approach it asking what will work best with each individual song and then they do that.
Not sure if anyone has mentioned it but the megaphone used during the guitar solo, was just a prop. It wasn't used as a voice enhancement. They do it live with the same result without the megaphone. It's all Mitch's voice. He's THAT good!
